Demolish dilapidated overhead tank: Olaiyur locals

According to the sources, the overhead water tank was constructed in the village panchayat around 30-year back to provide water to its residents. However, the overhead tank started to leak last year as the structure got damaged and dilapidated over the years with the iron rods inside the concrete becoming clearly visible. The officials who inspected the tank also certified the tank as unfit for usage and asked the panchayat to use the other two water tanks in the village for storage purposes. Though the order was implemented, the tank is yet to be demolished.

Stating that the water tank has become very weak, Sundar, a resident of Olaiyur said, “The villagers are using the tank as a shelter, they stand under the tank for boarding the buses as there is no shelter in the bus stop. There is also a playschool located nearby the tank and many school students even walk past the tank. If the tank collapses, it will be a tragedy.”

The villagers feared that the shops and the temple in the vicinity of the tank would also get damaged if the construction falls apart. “Many times, we asked the panchayat officials and even the BDO to take steps to demolish the water tank but nobody has taken any steps so far. If this continues, we will block the main road and will not give up the protest till the tank is demolished,” said another resident on condition of anonymity.

When contacted, Uthiramerur Panchayat Union BDO R Mohan said, “The tank will be demolished soon. It is delayed as there are many formalities to be completed. Once the formalities are completed, the tank will be destroyed with the proper permission from the district collector.”